Weatherspoon's Big Mouth May Be His Smallest Asset
by J.V. Siegel on Apr 18, 2010 3:47 PM EDT
in 2010 NFL Draft
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PrintSean Weatherspoon, one of the top linebacker prospects in this year's draft, has a big mouth.
So big is his mouth, that a term has been coined for players like him: "The Ochocinco Effect." In a story by profootballtalk.com, Nolan Nawrocki of Pro Football Weekly was quoted as saying "(H)e never shuts his mouth. It's a big concern to a lot of teams that have stepped in and even removed him from their draft boards. That's how strongly they feel he could negatively effect their locker room," Nawrocki told Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald.
"The Big concern is just how he's a little bit like [Chad] Ochocinco in Cincinnati. It's going to become a big distraction, and it's going to get in the way, it's going to be difficult to coach," Nawrocki said. "He's never played a snap in the NFL , and he's already worrying about things that really shouldn't matter for a guy at that stage in his career. He's worrying about his image and his post-career aspirations."
Being compared to Chad Ochocinco is considered to be an insult, but Ochocinco is still among the best receivers in the NFL. That being said, the Bengals still have not gone far in the playoffs during his tenure in Cincinnati.
Would a player who talks as much as Ochocinco does, and how much Weatherspoon reportedly does, still be worth a high pick? Teams cannot measure how much players like these effect a locker room negatively, but if the production is high, a team will take a risk, and so far it has worked out for Cincinnati (minus the whole, reach the Super Bowl thing).
Weatherspoon is projected as an outside-linebacker in the upcoming draft, and we have him being picked at #19 by the Atlanta Falcons.
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I ain't Weatherspoon's biggest fan,
but his “mouth” and “charisma” in this case is a good thing.
WR are a different breed. They have to rely on others (QB, playcall being a pass) to get their “attention”. A WR like Chad Johnson being a diva can be a distraction cuz he has to yell at others to get his due.
If a LB wants to be a “diva” or wants attention, he’s gotta do his own thing to get the attention. If wants to make an interception, or a sack..to get his attention….and then talks crap after…well, that’s a damn good thing.
I just dunno what the hell the problem would be? Is he gonna yell at the defensive coordinator to call more blitzes?
Ray Lewis seemed to be an attention grabbing dude..he’s good isn’t he?
Running AMOK
unless he doesn't have a dominant DT in front of him
watching the combine, though, they seemed to love how he talked. go figure
by ChrisHarrell's_stache05 on Apr 18, 2010 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions
"It's a big concern to a lot of teams that have stepped in and even removed him from their draft boards"
You have got to be f-ing kidding me. I swear a player has to be perfect. Everything they do is considered negative.
As a personal friend of Spoon's
i can tell everyone that his “big mouth” is maybe his best assest. He was the vocal leader of Mizzou’s defense for 2 years. His antics in the locker room never had a negative effect on the players. Some of those coaches who were “concerned” about him and his attitude contacted Pinkel and his staff. When the questions came, from what i heard, the Mizzou coaches were at a lost for words. Spoon was never seen as a distraction and the coaches stood beside him firmly stating, “Of all our players he would be the one you would want watching your kids while on vacation.” Spoon is just fun-loving guy who will kill you on the football field. Every team needs a Sean Weatherspoon….. seriously.
This seems ridiculous
From the youtube videos I’ve seen of him, he just seems like a humble yet energetic guy who loves football. Makes no sense that teams would take him off their boards for that… what do they want a bunch of submissive guys who won’t talk unless they’re spoken to? Makes no sense whatsoever.
by RockyMountainHigh on Apr 18, 2010 4:43 PM EDT reply actions
The more teams that don't like him, the better.
Just makes it easier to fulfil his wish of becoming a Bronco.
"All by their heads, he places crowns."
by Tempestuous Binary on Apr 18, 2010 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Stupidest thing I have heard in awhile
Ocho is a narcissistic WR who loves hearing himself talk about himself, this guy just cant shut up; there’s a huge difference. I have never known a LB to cause a locker room rift for having ADD of the mouth.
IMO
Just realized it was posted by Mike Florio
so probably more and more teams are putting him on their boards, and Weatherspoon goes top 10.
Running AMOK
From an avid Mizzou fan's perspective
Spoon has been nothing more than a positive influence in the locker room and on the field. As for how his talent will translate to the NFL I am not sure, but I don’t think his charisma is going to cause any problems
as long as he works hard at the game of football...
… he can work at the fame game however he wants.
There is a difference between leader and distraction
Spoon seems to be much more in the leader category. Besides I dont think being compared to Chad is so bad. Ocho is way better than T.O. Owens was a cancer that ruined a teams chances. But Ocho seems more like the class clown and he can back it up on the field. Spoon will be a Brian Dawkins type player. No one complains about his mouth.
smokescreen
I hate Florio so I wouldn’t be shocked if hes rocking the boat just to be an asshole.
With the 32nd pick of the 2010 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints say "Sean Weatherspoon, come on down!!!"
what a load of shit
2009 NY Phin PhansFantasy League Champion
2009 Best Regular Season Record in NYPPL.
2010 The Jim Mandich NewsFlash Award Winner.
A tree and it's fruit.
Except for the guy who knows spoon the only info we really have about his charecter is what he has done so far. Which from what I have seen is a rowdy guy who likes to have fun and take guys heads off on the field. Stop hating it’s not like the guy is rvealing himself or raping 20 yr olds like Big Douche.
Rule #1: Double tap.
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